LIM KONG BOON

Kong Boon is one of our newest additions to The Art Faculty. He loves depicting images of friendship and joy, and has an exceptional sense of colour. His artworks leave an indelible impression that can produce warm and reflective smile days after their encounter.

In his rendition of Sri Mariamman Temple, Kong Boon reinterprets the temple’s iconic gopuram through a labyrinth of intricate linework. Each pen stroke captures not only the sculptural details of the statues but also their spiritual weight and rhythm. His technique builds a sense of movement and intensity, transforming the sacred structure into a vivid visual meditation. The result is a piece that feels alive — more intricate than the reference itself, as though the artist has revealed what lies within the stone.

As Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, it was built by Indian pioneer Naraina Pillai to serve early Tamil immigrants. Over time, the simple wooden structure was replaced by brick in the 1840s, and the sculpted entrance tower (gopuram) we see today was rebuilt and elaborated in the early 20th century. Today, the temple is famous for its richly carved multi-tiered tower of deities and its annual fire-walking festival (Theemithi).